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No big local changes expected with a new pope

This April 19, 2005 file photo shows Pope Benedict XVI greeting the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica moments after being elected, at the Vatican. (The Associated Press)

By Marian RizzoCorrespondent

Published: Monday, February 11, 2013 at 5:32 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 11, 2013 at 5:32 p.m.

The Rev. Patrick O'Doherty is not concerned about Pope Benedict XVI's retirement and the upcoming search for the next pope. During his lifetime, a half-dozen popes have held the office.

"Like the rest of us, popes come and go, priests come and go, presidents come and go. The creeds remain the same," said O'Doherty, pastor of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala.

"I think John Paul II looked out on the world, but this pope looked in," O'Doherty said. "He cleaned up the priesthood, supervised the terrible scandal within the church, strengthened the seminaries, and called us back to what we were ordained to do."

With his retirement set for Feb. 28, Pope Benedict XVI will leave behind seven years of such challenges. But for O'Doherty, Benedict's most valued legacy lies within his inspirational writings.

"I'm one of those rare individuals who, over five years, have read something from Benedict every day," O'Doherty said. "The book is called ‘Benedictus.' Somebody dipped into his writings and included them in a yearlong theological teaching. He astounds me. Of all the popes in history, he's the clearest thinker."

The Rev. Patrick Sheedy of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Ocala sees Benedict's decision to retire as appropriately timed.

"I think it's wonderful that he came to that conclusion," Sheedy said. "He's been a very, very good pope. I didn't think he'd be a pope as long as he was. It surprised me all of the energy he's had."

Though some theologians consider Benedict to be conservative, both O'Doherty and Sheedy said they saw another side to him.

"He wasn't as conservative as people expected him to be," Sheedy said. "Working under John Paul II, that was his job, to oversee the orthodoxy of the faith, but once he came to be in charge, he was quite open. He had an open dialogue with Muslims and was trying to get a feel for Christians in Muslim countries. He was very good with technology and was using it wisely, even Twittering, or having someone do it for him. He was taking the development of the scientific and using it for the good. It has been a progressive period."

David G. Hackett, PhD., a religion professor at the University of Florida and a practicing Catholic, said the Vatican Council II spawned a more relaxed thinking, a "protestantization" within the church. A more conservative trend came about under both John Paul II and Benedict, Hackett said.

"Overall, the papacy of Benedict is a continuation of what John Paul II was doing," Hackett said. "I think the church of Benedict has been trying to consolidate the general rightward tilt. Cardinals that have been appointed by Benedict have reflected this more conservative bent. They're offering a very clear position on issues. The sex scandal, I don't think much is going to change as far as Rome is involved. The church has taken its position."

Considering that Benedict was elected at the age of 78 and is retiring at 85, Hackett believes a much younger pope might be chosen, possibly from outside Europe.

"There has been considerable growth in the Third World," Hackett said. "Voices coming from Asia and Africa have been heard and recognized. It would be interesting to see a pope come out of those areas. It would be clever if they have someone with a technological proficiency, someone who is a good communicator. The only problem that the church has is a marketing problem."

In an Internet news conference, Bishop John Noonan of the Orlando Diocese spoke of his personal connection with Pope Benedict XVI.

"I was one of the first bishops named by Benedict, so I felt a certain closeness to him," Noonan said. "I had the honor and privilege to meet with Pope Benedict in May of last year. He welcomed me in my new role as bishop of a diocese. We also discussed the life of the church in the Diocese of Orlando and spoke about vocations to the priesthood and religious life."

Noonan also praised Benedict for his wisdom, his humility and his courage in deciding to step down.

"This is a moment of faith, a historic moment for the church," Noonan said. "He's taken a very brave step to say, ‘I can't be the pope anymore. I can't take the responsibility.' "

Even at his age, Benedict was able to handle all the duties that came with the position, Noonan said. He traveled all over the world. In Rome, he conducted meetings all day long, going from one visitor to another, he said.

"The man still feels he has a gift for the church, but he doesn't have to be very active. His gift can be as an inspiration to us," Noonan said. "Our call remains the same — unchanged for more than 2,000 years. We pray the College of Cardinals, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, will choose a worthy successor to meet the challenges present in today's world. The main goal of the church during the next year is to be renewed in faith, to bring Christ to others and to be sure the message of the gospel can be shared, as well."

<p>The Rev. Patrick O'Doherty is not concerned about Pope Benedict XVI's retirement and the upcoming search for the next pope. During his lifetime, a half-dozen popes have held the office.</p><p>"Like the rest of us, popes come and go, priests come and go, presidents come and go. The creeds remain the same," said O'Doherty, pastor of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala.</p><p>"I think John Paul II looked out on the world, but this pope looked in," O'Doherty said. "He cleaned up the priesthood, supervised the terrible scandal within the church, strengthened the seminaries, and called us back to what we were ordained to do."</p><p>With his retirement set for Feb. 28, Pope Benedict XVI will leave behind seven years of such challenges. But for O'Doherty, Benedict's most valued legacy lies within his inspirational writings.</p><p>"I'm one of those rare individuals who, over five years, have read something from Benedict every day," O'Doherty said. "The book is called 'Benedictus.' Somebody dipped into his writings and included them in a yearlong theological teaching. He astounds me. Of all the popes in history, he's the clearest thinker."</p><p>The Rev. Patrick Sheedy of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Ocala sees Benedict's decision to retire as appropriately timed.</p><p>"I think it's wonderful that he came to that conclusion," Sheedy said. "He's been a very, very good pope. I didn't think he'd be a pope as long as he was. It surprised me all of the energy he's had."</p><p>Though some theologians consider Benedict to be conservative, both O'Doherty and Sheedy said they saw another side to him.</p><p>"He wasn't as conservative as people expected him to be," Sheedy said. "Working under John Paul II, that was his job, to oversee the orthodoxy of the faith, but once he came to be in charge, he was quite open. He had an open dialogue with Muslims and was trying to get a feel for Christians in Muslim countries. He was very good with technology and was using it wisely, even Twittering, or having someone do it for him. He was taking the development of the scientific and using it for the good. It has been a progressive period."</p><p>David G. Hackett, PhD., a religion professor at the University of Florida and a practicing Catholic, said the Vatican Council II spawned a more relaxed thinking, a "protestantization" within the church. A more conservative trend came about under both John Paul II and Benedict, Hackett said.</p><p>"Overall, the papacy of Benedict is a continuation of what John Paul II was doing," Hackett said. "I think the church of Benedict has been trying to consolidate the general rightward tilt. Cardinals that have been appointed by Benedict have reflected this more conservative bent. They're offering a very clear position on issues. The sex scandal, I don't think much is going to change as far as Rome is involved. The church has taken its position."</p><p>Considering that Benedict was elected at the age of 78 and is retiring at 85, Hackett believes a much younger pope might be chosen, possibly from outside Europe.</p><p>"There has been considerable growth in the Third World," Hackett said. "Voices coming from Asia and Africa have been heard and recognized. It would be interesting to see a pope come out of those areas. It would be clever if they have someone with a technological proficiency, someone who is a good communicator. The only problem that the church has is a marketing problem."</p><p>In an Internet news conference, Bishop John Noonan of the Orlando Diocese spoke of his personal connection with Pope Benedict XVI.</p><p>"I was one of the first bishops named by Benedict, so I felt a certain closeness to him," Noonan said. "I had the honor and privilege to meet with Pope Benedict in May of last year. He welcomed me in my new role as bishop of a diocese. We also discussed the life of the church in the Diocese of Orlando and spoke about vocations to the priesthood and religious life."</p><p>Noonan also praised Benedict for his wisdom, his humility and his courage in deciding to step down.</p><p>"This is a moment of faith, a historic moment for the church," Noonan said. "He's taken a very brave step to say, 'I can't be the pope anymore. I can't take the responsibility.' "</p><p>Even at his age, Benedict was able to handle all the duties that came with the position, Noonan said. He traveled all over the world. In Rome, he conducted meetings all day long, going from one visitor to another, he said.</p><p>"The man still feels he has a gift for the church, but he doesn't have to be very active. His gift can be as an inspiration to us," Noonan said. "Our call remains the same — unchanged for more than 2,000 years. We pray the College of Cardinals, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, will choose a worthy successor to meet the challenges present in today's world. The main goal of the church during the next year is to be renewed in faith, to bring Christ to others and to be sure the message of the gospel can be shared, as well."</p>